Just a few days before the fifth anniversary of Sept. 11, Kathy Kelley and Jo Roosendaal were two of several volunteers who packed more than 50 boxes with various “comforts of home” sent to military troops overseas. Kelley, owner of Curves in Falcon, said the idea to do something for the troops came up when the fitness center’s community service committee decided they wanted to show their appreciation to those serving in the military overseas.As a Curves member, Roosendaal decided to help out when she overheard the committee discussing their plans. Shortly after 9/11, she had volunteered her time at a nonprofit organization called Home Front Heroes, an organization that sends care packages to troops fighting the war in Afghanistan and other war-stricken areas like Iraq. “We would get addresses from family members,” Roosendaal said. “They would just bring them in, and we shipped out boxes.”Military way of life is nothing new to Roosendaal. Several of her family members are prior military, as well as her son, Michael, and daughter-in-law, Mandy, who are currently serving in Iraq. The couple met at the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, Calif., where they learned to speak Arabic.Roosendaal said the couple had an unusual start to their marriage. Shortly after they were married, they were separated when Michael received his orders to serve in Iraq. A few months later, Mandy received her orders. Although they are both serving in the same country, Roosendaal said they are three hours apart.She said she and Mandy exchange e-mails frequently, but she only gets to talk to her son about once a month. Through them, she understands what the troops need overseas. The “wish list” includes DVDs, CDs and video games, as well as personal hygiene products. Roosendaal said the care packages not only lends comfort to the soldiers, but also provides joy to some of the local Iraqis, especially kids. She said that items, such as candy and toys go fast. “The guys like to hand them out to the Iraqi kids,” she said. “And if they don’t have any candy on them, they’ll give them a dollar out of their pocket.”These care packages also will include hand-written letters from kids in the Falcon and Peyton Elementary schools.Although the boxes can’t fit all the comforts of home, they are definitely filled with love. “We want them to know that we think about them everyday,” Roosendaal said. Kelley agreed. “I think it is important for them to know that we haven’t forgotten them.”
